Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar took a firm stance against those advocating saffronisation of the police force and engaging in moral policing, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate anyone taking the law into their own hands.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar addressed the issue, saying, “The former Chief Minister questioned why not saffronisation? Why not moral policing? However, we will not permit anyone to disregard the law.”
He continued, “Whether it is a Congressman or a member of any other political party, nobody should take the law into their own hands. The police should be the custodians of the law. During a recent meeting with police officers, I noted that at a few locations, the entire police staff were dressed in attire representing a political agenda rather than their uniform, posing for photographs. This goes against the principles of the Constitution and the law. The Karnataka Police Department holds a significant reputation, and we must maintain it.”
Shivakumar declined to comment on former Home Minister Araga Janendra’s statement accusing him of exerting control over the police officers. “The people have already given a fitting response to Araga Janendra and his government in the elections. I do not have the time to respond to his remarks,” he stated.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted an incident involving Cabinet Minister Priyaka Kharge, who was summoned after raising concerns about corruption. “Why was only he summoned? Why not others? Was he targeted because he is a Dalit or a Congress MLA? The police must act in accordance with the law, with the nation’s interest taking priority,” Shivakumar asserted.
In a meeting on Tuesday, Shivakumar reprimanded Karnataka police officials, questioning their alleged attempts to saffronise the state’s police department. “Are you planning to saffronise the police department? We will not allow it under our government,” he declared.
Pointing out instances where police officers had donned saffron shawls in Mangaluru, Bijapur (Vijayapura), and Bagalkot, thereby demeaning the department, Shivakumar expressed his disappointment. “If it was a display of patriotism, they should have come to work donning the national flag. We will not tolerate the saffronisation of the police department,” he reiterated.
Shivakumar also raised concerns about the involvement of an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in fabricating OMR sheets during the PSI recruitment scandal, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
These statements by Shivakumar prompted strong reactions from Basavaraj Bommai and Araga Janendra, expressing their differing views on the matter. (Edited)
